Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental veneers, crowns, onlays, inlays and bridges are important restorations which enhance the health and functionality of the natural teeth. A sparkling smile can be an enormous confidence-booster and have a dramatic effect on a person’s appearance. Empress® has been dedicated to creating natural-looking restorations for almost two decades and is one of the world leaders in dental ceramics.

Empress® veneers, crowns, onlays, overlays and dental bridges are renowned for their strength, durability and exceptional optical properties. Empress® restorations are completely metal-free, and are constructed from inorganic material which is baked and cured at high temperatures.

Why should I choose Empress® restorations?

Empress® is continually refining and enhancing restorations to ensure that they look natural and restore complete functionality to the teeth.

Traditional ceramic restorations were known for being brittle and expensive to repair after sustaining damage. However, Empress® has developed a heat-pressed glass ceramic that is immensely strong and durable. There are several reasons for this, including the high shrinkage of leucite crystals. This shrinkage means that compressive stress is created during the vitreous stage, thus preventing breakage and cracking.

The unique veneer glaze and stain also increases strength by as much as 50%. These elements combined establish a thicker restoration that is fracture resistant. Empress® crowns have a 100% chance of surviving the first three years. This means less dental visits, less expense and a sensational, comfortable smile.

Here are some of the advantages associated with Empress® restorations:

• Biocompatible.
• Do not affect other dentition.
• Ease of application.
• Excellent polishing properties.
• Many levels of translucency available.
• Metal-free.
• Natural-looking.
• Shades match the other teeth.

What restorations can be done using Empress® products?

Empress® has created many natural-looking restorations, including:

Empress® Veneers – These veneers are wafer-thin porcelain and ceramic covers which fit permanently over natural teeth. Empress® veneers are perfect for covering disfigured and stained teeth. They are stain and bacteria-resistant, strong, and can be manufactured to match the natural tooth shade.

Empress® Crowns – These crowns are generally placed after root canal therapy, or after the removal of tooth decay. Empress® crowns are proven to last longer than many types of crowns, and again, can be matched exactly to the natural tooth shade. There is no visible ugly metal edge, just a sensational end result.

Empress® Inlays/Onlays – Inlays and onlays are currently being used to replace the traditional amalgam fillings. Amalgam is unpleasant to view and unhealthy for the body. Empress® ceramic inlays and overlays are strong, healthy and usually invisible to onlookers.

Empress® Bridges – As with all Empress® products, Empress® bridges are a completely natural-looking way to replace missing teeth. Metal bridges are often highly visible and make the teeth look shorter. Empress® bridges are almost impossible to spot, and restore symmetry and sparkle to the smile.

For patients whose teeth have changed in size or shape due to trauma or decay, Sandia Dental Care offers dental crowns. Also known as caps, dental crowns are custom-fit to cover the entire biting surface and sides of the tooth. Made from a number of durable materials, crowns protect your tooth and restore biting and chewing function.

The Advantages of Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain is one of the more common materials Dr. Sarah Kassam recommends for crowns. Porcelain crowns are tooth-colored and shaped to effectively match your smile. These sturdy and natural-looking restorations are capable of providing years of service. As with most dental restorations, regular follow-up visits and occasional replacements are essential in maintaining attractive, long-lasting results.

Why Would You Need a Crown?

There are many situations where the placement of a dental crown is necessary and beneficial. To achieve optimal results, underlying oral health concerns, such as gum disease and poor oral hygiene habits, should be treated first. Once these are managed, Dr. Sarah Kassam recommends crown placement for the following issues:

• Broken or fractured teeth
• Dental decay
• Teeth that have received root canal treatment
• Replacement of large or damaged fillings
• Enhancement of dental aesthetics

What is the Process for Getting a Crown?

At Sandia Dental Care, we meet our patients’ needs by first taking impressions of the targeted tooth. This allows us to create a custom crown. As it may take up to two weeks to fabricate permanent dental crowns, impressions are used for a temporary crown. This provides a seamless transition, ensuring patients not without a smile for long.

Before placing a crown, Dr. Sarah Kassam prepares the tooth by removing decay and shaping the surface of enamel so the restoration fits properly. This is done while the tooth is numb, after which the crown will be placed and secured with dental cement. Prior to placing the custom crown, the temporary restoration is removed and the area is thoroughly cleaned. Dr. Sarah Kassam also assesses whether your bite is properly balanced after placement.

We provide you with after-care instructions and encourage you to follow up at our Albuquerque office regularly.

Patients with multiple teeth missing can enjoy health and aesthetic benefits with a fixed dental bridge. At Sandia Dental Care, we recommend this non-removable appliance to our patients as a sturdy and long-lasting teeth replacement option.

Why Get a Fixed Bridge?

Missing or severely damaged teeth deprive patients of a healthy smile. Without treatment, aesthetic and health effects of damaged or missing teeth only worsen over time. To bolster the look of a complete set of teeth, Dr. Sarah Kassam may recommend a fixed bridge.

Beyond addressing the appearance of your smile, a fixed bridge can also improve dental function and wellbeing. Dental bridges prevent healthy teeth from shifting out of position, which can cause bite problems. After receiving a fixed bridge, patients may notice a significant improvement in their ability to speak and chew.

For patients with removable dental appliances, such as partial dentures, our Albuquerque practice recommends fixed bridges as a secure option.

Traditional Fixed Bridges

Dr. Sarah Kassam works with each patient on an individual basis, recommending a variety of dental bridge options that address their unique needs.

Among the most common options are traditional bridges. These bridges work with existing, healthy teeth and are of materials that promote natural aesthetic and strength. Crowns are placed over neighboring teeth, which are then used as anchors for the artificial teeth.

Your dental bridge can give you years of service, especially when you follow routine check-up visits to keep an eye on oral health and wear and tear on restorations.

Receiving a Fixed Bridge

The abutment teeth used to anchor the bridge are prepared for a proper and secure fit. Impressions, or molds, are taken to fabricate a bridge that accurately imitates natural teeth. To ensure you are not left with an incomplete smile prior to receiving your permanent bridge, you will have a temporary bridge to wear.

Prior cementing it in place, Dr. Sarah Kassam assesses your custom-designed permanent bridge, making any adjustments for a stable and balanced fit. Dependent individual needs, the bridge may be bonded with temporary cement to allow adjustment to the new appliance. At a future appointment, the fixed bridge is cemented permanently.

After the procedure, you will receive care instructions, including advice on proper brushing and flossing routines.

An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.

Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Also, they are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays.

As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for inlay restorations:

• Broken or fractured teeth.
• Cosmetic enhancement.
• Decayed teeth.
• Fractured fillings.
• Large fillings.

What does getting an inlay involve?

An inlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom inlay and a temporary restoration.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an inlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your inlay is made by a dental laboratory.

At your second appointment your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.

You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new inlay.

An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain onlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.

Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration.

As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for onlay restorations:

• Broken or fractured teeth.
• Cosmetic enhancement.
• Decayed teeth.
• Fractured fillings.
• Large fillings.

What does getting an onlay involve?

An onlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom onlay and a temporary restoration.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an onlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your onlay is made by a dental laboratory.

At your second appointment, your new onlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.

You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new onlay.

Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.

Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.

As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for porcelain veneers:

• Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
• Crooked teeth.
• Misshapen teeth.
• Severely discolored or stained teeth.
• Teeth that are too small or large.
• Unwanted or uneven spaces.
• Worn or chipped teeth.

What does getting porcelain veneers involve?

Getting veneers usually requires two visits to complete the process, with little or no anesthesia required during the procedure. The teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. A mold or impression of the teeth is taken and a shade (color) will then be chosen by you and the dentist.

On the second visit the teeth will be cleansed with special liquids to achieve a durable bond. Bonding cement is then placed between the tooth and veneer and a special light beam is used to harden and set the bond.

You will receive care instructions for veneers. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new veneers.